Knowledge Test Vocabulary List
atrophy
(n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v.) to waste away
adaptive
Able to change as needed
abuse
physical or emotional harm to someone
bacteria
single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes
assistive device
tool, software, or hardware to assist in performing daily activities
chemotherapy
treatment of cancer with drugs
ambulation
walking
bed height
The height or level the bed is at.
apical
apex of the heart
anatomy
study of structure
axillary temperature
Temperature taken at the armpit
behavioral care plan
a detailed method worked out in advance for the attainment of a goal
brittle bones
osteoporosis
chemical disinfection
A chemical that destroys, neutralizes, or Inhibits the growth of disease-carrying microorganisms.
anemia
A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume.
advance directives
A legal document designed to indicate a person's wishes regarding care in case of a terminal illness or during the dying process
bipolar disorder
A mood disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania.
body fluid
Any secretion or excretion from the human body such as vaginal, cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, amniotic, sputum, and saliva
aspiration
Breathing fluid, food, vomitus, or an object into the lungs
brain stem
Connects the brain and spinal cord
choking
Food or foreign object blocks the airway or throat.
abductor wedge
Is designed to separate the legs of a patient, often used after hip surgery.
abandonment
Leaving a patient after care has been initiated and before the patient has been transferred to someone with equal or greater medical training.
adduction
Movement toward the midline of the body
acute
New, usually of rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic
cc's in an ounce
One ounce = 30 cc
care planning
Process of making a care plan
bed making
Rearrange a bed and its coverings to its condition before it was slept in.
anxiety
The condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what may happen
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
The most advanced, and fatal, stage of an HIV infection.
bath water temperature
The temperature of the water used to give a bath, should be between 105-115 degrees Fahrenheit
absorption
The transport of dissolved substances into cells.
basic needs
These are the things people cannot live without, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
catheter
Tube inserted into vessels or body cavities to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open
biohazard
a biological or chemical substance or situation that is dangerous to human beings and the environment
angina
a condition of episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium
bed cradle
a metal or plastic frame suspended over the hospital bed to keep the weight of the linen off the resident's body
abdominal thrust
a method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is choking
charge nurse
a nurse responsible for a team of healthcare workers
authorized duty
a person approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or duties or to be at a specific location or locations at the jobsite.
Alzheimer's disease
a progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, finally, physical functioning
cast
a solid copy of the shape of an organism
burnout
a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion created by long-term involvement in an emotionally demanding situation and accompanied by lowered performance and motivation
agitation
a violent stirring or movement; noisy confusion, excitement; a stirring up of public enthusiasm
affected side
a weakened side from a stroke or injury; also called the "weaker" or "involved" side.
care plan
a written plan for each resident created by a nurse; outlines the steps taken by the staff to help the resident reach his or her goals
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
a.k.a. "Stroke". Lack of blood supply to the brain causing brain damage
apnea
absence of breathing
call light
allows the patient to call for help via light and/or sound
accidents
an unfortunate event resulting from carelessness or ignorance
chemical restraint
any drug that is used for discipline or convenience and not required to treat medical symptoms
abnormal vital signs
any reading outside of these ranges: Heart Rate 60-100, Blood Pressure 120/80, Temperature 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, 37 degrees Celsius, Respiratory rate 12-20 breaths/minute, Pulse Ox >95%; You report/Communicate to charge nurse.
activities of daily living (ADLs)
basic self-care tasks such as eating, bathing, toileting, walking, and dressing
central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
arteries
carry blood away from the heart
bladder training
client postpones voiding, resists or inhibits the sensation of urgency, and voids according to a timetable rather than according to the urge to void
cataract
clouding of the lens of the eye
cardiac arrest
complete stopping of heart activity
antibiotics
compounds that block the growth and reproduction of bacteria
bedrest
confinement to bed continuously (as in the case of some sick or injured persons)
chronic
continuing for a long time
cancer
disorder in which some of the body's cells lose the ability to control growth
care impaired
doing most if not all of the ADLs for an impaired resident
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac compressions and artificial ventilation
accountable
expected to answer for one's actions; responsible, liable, answerable
anterior
front of the body
body system
group of organs that work together to perform a specific function
arteriosclerosis
hardening of the arteries
audiologist
hearing specialist
cardiovascular system
heart and blood vessels
bleeding
hemorrhage
aphasia
impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding).
blindness
inability to see
arthritis
inflammation of a joint
burns
injury to tissues caused by heat contact
adaptive equipment
modification of equipment or devices to improve the function and independence of a person with a disability
breathing
movement of air into and out of the lungs
circulation
movement of substances in body fluids
afebrile
no fever
body language
nonverbal communication through gestures, facial expressions, behaviors, and posture
behavior
observable actions of human beings and nonhuman animals
bone loss
osteoporosis
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
permanent, destructive pulmonary disorder that is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema
bowel program
program that manipulates factors within a person's control (timing of defecation, exercise, diet) to produce a regular pattern of comfortable defecation without medication or enemas
admission
right to enter; access
amputee
someone who has had a limb removed by amputation
Anti-embolic stockings
special stockings used to help prevent swelling and blood clots and aid circulation; also called elastic stockings
beliefs
specific ideas that people hold to be true
activities
specific tasks that need to be accomplished as part of the process
bathing
the act of washing yourself (or another person)
cc's consumed
the amount of cc's that a resident has consumed
body temperature
the amount of heat in the body that is a balance between the amount of heat produced and the amount lost by the body
admitting resident
the individual being accepted into a Long Term Care Facility
chain of command
the line of authority that moves from the top of a hierarchy to the lowest level
aging process
the natural occurrences in the body that produce the changes associated with growing old
bed position
the position the bed is in. also controlled by buttons on the control of the bed.
body mechanics
the proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving and prevent injury
body alignment
the way the head, trunk, arms, and legs are aligned with one another; posture
catheter care
thorough cleaning of the perineal area (especially around the urethra) and the catheter tubing that extends outside of the body, to prevent infection
assault
threat or attempt to injure